A Challenge for 2014: Commit to adding something new to your life! Ready?

Chronic conditions bring all kinds of challenges to your life. And some of those challenges include limitations. Not being able to do something you used to be able to do, or at least not to the same extent. But also setting limits to take help take care of yourself. To preserve your physical and emotional energy for what’s important to you.

But I sometimes think that by focusing on all those limits and limitations we don’t, in the process, begin to view life in terms of “can’t do’s.” With the road ahead becoming narrower and narrower.

Let’s take a step back. How about thinking bigger? And starting the new year by taking a look at what’s possible instead of what’s not so possible. Ready?

I just posted an article that has some ideas to help you get started. Here’s a link:

15 replies

I want to have a bigger life by being a smaller me. Just on the outside. There is so much fun for me to do out there, and I hold myself back not because of my diabetes, but because of my weight.

I have taken some big steps to work on that back in October of last year and there are a few things up my sleeves to make it happen this year. Then when I go on vacation I can do the mountain hikes I want to. I can do that back packing trip or I can get to the bottom and back out again of the grand canyon. There is a lot I have left to do. I have not done something big since 2010...so I am over due!

When life with a chronic condition is viewed in the sense of what you can or cannot do or with limitations, a person can become imprisioned both mentally and physically. People who do this to themselves tend to make excuses as to why they cannot do something including taking care of themselves.

My city's Police Departments Neighborhood Services Unit has Coffee with A Cop. I brought this to our district in October. One of the people in attendence was the Liaison for Parks and Rec. I asked her how do I book space in our Rec Center for Cookies and Punch with a Cop for kids. Today my idea is being developed so the Rec Center can do this at all of their centers. I am working on the program for 3 of the Rec Centers in our Police District. My next project starting Jan 2 is to put together all events for the district involving the Police Department.

This is followed by trying to get the State Legislation to give our State Liquor Laws some teeth. The padlock law simply is useless. This will be a challenge. I already have spoken with one of my State Delegates who is interested in my plight. The Police Commisioner is hoping I am successful.

I am enjoying my term on the Civilian Review Board. It requires a lot of reading of police reports and investigations. Having a degree in Criminal Justice helps a great deal because I understand laws and how they work. I have had part of my board training which included learning police take down techniques. I still have to do a ride along and weapons class at the police range. I have done all of this before but it needed to be updated.

Finally, we are changing our business and are about to open our online jewelry store. I am setting aside time next month to learn a new technique with clay and cold porcelan.

I have no limits and have not participating in any activities since being diagnosed. There is so much in life I still want to do and see and with limitations or saying I can't do something will hold me back. Life is to be lived not sitting around feeling sorry for yourself or because you don't have support or a family near or with you. Over time you can learn to be self supporting and self motivating and you will realize you did this all by yourself. You never know what is on the other side of the door until you open it and look out. Have a very Happy New Year.

I had a feeling I would hear from you. You are really doing some amazing things in your community. I especially like the way you are trying to connect police offers with children, such an important task. As is your other work in law enforcement. A real service!

And also great that you are learning new jewelry techniques. I think that we should all stay involved in some kind of learning effort, whatever it is. It gives us something to work toward, keeps our minds active, provides something to work toward.

thank you Dr Gary for the encouragement and suggestions. i am studying diet, nutrition and health sciences starting on the 14th. i am so looking forward to this. i will become a health coach online. i am also starting a learn to knit class and i am looking forward to that. i am buying supplements to support my lymphatic system, my kidneys and my adrenals. i will be able to buy these later this month. yes, this will truly be a new year for me. i am also working on exercising more and i have worked very hard on eating a good, balanced diet with the support of my Diabetes Clinic. all my duckies are lining up in a row! thanks for all you do here. you are such a positive force for the better always. Happy New Year Dr Gary! :)

oh Jennie, this is so good to hear. you can do and be whatever you put your mind to. your mind is amazing full of all kinds of creativity and your real "you" wants only the very best for you! your whole body is wired to be productive and healthy and yes we do have this little glitch called diabetes but we can control it - it does not control us! just make up your mind to do better and set some smaller doable goals. work on each one as you build your confidence and strength and before you know it, Jennie, you will be all you want to be or at the very least on your way there. you can do this. don't let nothing hold you back! life is for living. so much so good in life and that lovely child in your avatar needs to see mom as her example. remember that! you are your child's best example. be a good one :)

Kudos to you denipink. I hope you do well in school. I can do, single stitch crochet, latch hook rugs, counted cross stitch and embroider but I cannot knit. I make jewelry and my sister and I turned that into a small business.

You are never too old to learn something new or to go back to school. I wish you the best of luck in all you do and a very Happy New Year :>)

thank you Joyce. i decided that life did not stop with chronic disease and i have taken up interests to distract me and keep me on a positive vein. i am determined to enjoy my life.

you are very talented! i have always been interested in making jewelery and perhaps at some point i will take that up. for right now i am all booked tho and i sure hope i have not taken on too much. all i can do is try and if i have to drop something then i will just say the timing is not right. Happy New Year to you Joyce and thanks for all the good posts. i enjoy reading your posts. they all hold such meaning.

Thank you deni. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Life does not stop with a chronic disease. For me it was the next chapter in my book of life.

I got my degree online which is much harder than sitting in a class room. During that time, I was caring for my mom. She passed away before I graduated and I was unable to attend the physical graduation. I was so messed up, I almost quit school. My best friend is a travel agent and 3 weeks before the cruise two people on her cruise were in a severe accident and lost the money for their cruise. She changed the names and I was able to go. It was what I needed to regroup. You have to be organized. I kept all of my school work and books in a tote next to my computer.

Jewelry making is fun and relaxing. I learned how to make wire wrapped rings on You Tube and since 99% of our jewelry is made with semi precious gemstones I have a lot to practice with.

At any rate, between jewelry making, going to wholesale bead shows to get semi precious gemstones and learning new techniques along with all of my community work, I have a lot to keep me busy. The most important thing in life is doing what makes you happy, never sweat the small stuff, don't worry about anything you can't control and live life to the fullest. I think you will do well. You have a very good outlook on life and thank you for your post.

i think you and i are kindred spirits in many ways. you have been thru a lot. congratulations on your many accomplishments — you are using the good God gave you in a good way!

i love the idea of your rings and i think i have a picture in my head of what they might look like. do you have a site i can look at? i don't wear jewelery as a rule but i would if i found the right kind.